RDJRL Semi Finals Week 1 wrap

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Due to the Junior Under 13, Under 14 and Under 16 Capras going to Kingaroy this weekend for the Central Crows trials; the semi final games will be split between Wednesday and Saturday.

On Wednesday night, the Under 13, Under 14 and Under 16 games will be played so the players going to the trials can play for their clubs. On Saturday, the Under 15 and Under 18 sides will play as lead-up matches to the Intrust Super Cup match between the Capras and Mackay.

Last Saturday saw the first round of semi-finals of the RDJRL held at Victoria Park and Browne Park.

Under 13

Gracemere (2) 28 def Brothers (1) 26

Norths (3) 36 def Cap Coast Brothers (4) 12

In the grand final qualifier, Brothers took on second place Gracemere. There has been nothing between these two sides all year. Both sides played hard and the lead changed multiple times. With a minute to go and trailing by two points, Gracemere chipped ahead and got the bounce and went over to score and to register themselves a grand final birth.

Norths – last year’s premiers – were out to prove a point that they deserved to go back to back; and unfortunately for Cap Coast Brothers, they were on the receiving end of this determination. Cap Coast were gallant, but Norths proved too strong and now move on to play Brothers to see who will book a grand final berth.

Under 14

Yeppoon (1) 30 def Emu Park (2) 14

Brothers (3) 26 def Norths (4) 16

Yeppoon were coming into the semi-finals on a high and on Saturday they continued their run with a win over Emu Park. Yeppoon’s Capras connection proved too strong and Emu Park will now need to regroup for their next assignment.

Brothers entered their first semi-finals series on the back of a big loss to Yeppoon a week ago, but they started strongly and went to the break 20-4. Norths never gave up and was coming home strong, but ran out of time and just fell short.

Under 15

Fitzroy's (1) 40 def Yeppoon (2) 20

Brothers White (3) 22 def Cap Coast Brothers (4) 10

Fitzroy's entered their second straight finals series undefeated and are looking to go one better than last year when they went down to Emu Park in the decider. They were never troubled during this final, getting out to a big lead. Although the Seagulls posted some good tries, Fitzroy's always had the game won and move to their second straight decider.

Brothers White and Cap Coast have had their struggles this year and it was the Rocky Brothers Boys getting away with the win. Cap Coast tried hard, but could not reel in the score line.

Under 16

Cap Coast Brothers (2) 26 def Brothers (1) 24 (Extra Time)

Norths (3) 30 def Emu Park (4) 10

The Under 16 Brothers vCap Coast Brothers game was always going to be close. Cap Coast got out to a good lead with 10 minutes remaining, but Brothers never gave up and with twwo minutes remaining Brothers tide up the scores at 24-24. Uunfortunately they could not convert from the sideline and the game went intofive minutes each way extra time. Cap Coast had a penalty attempt in the first period which was unsuccessful both sides could not get into position for a field goal. A late penalty on the final siren of the second period of the game gave Cap Coast a chance to win, with the 42m attempt sailing through. Cap Coast have won the week off and a grand final spot.

Norths, with their Cyril Connell players, took on Emu Park to see who would continue on this year. The experience of those players were at the forefront and they accounted for the Emus. They will now take on Brothers for the final grand final spot.

Under 18

Cap Coast Brothers (1) 42 def Fitzroy's (2) 6

Brothers Blue (3) 46 def Yeppoon (4) 8

Under 18 Cap Coast Brothers have the week off after accounting for Fitzroy's. The experience of their Mal Meninga players proved too strong and they will watch this weekend to see who they will play in the premiership decider.

Brothers played Yeppoon for the second week in a row and the result was the same. Again, the representative players from Brothers was the difference and they move through to Week 2 of the finals.

This week’s finals previews:

Wednesday Night

Under 13 Brothers v North's

These sides have met twice this year with one win apiece. Brothers have been a little off the past couple of weeks and they are struggling to stop points being scored. Norths bounced back well on Saturday and will be full of confidence. Both sides have Capras players backing up and it will be a case of who can hold their line in defence. With both sides having handy halves that can create opportunities along with abundance of speed in the fullback position, plenty of points will be scored. This will be a very interesting contest which could go either way.

Under 14 Brothers v Emu Park

These sides have only had one meeting this year resulting in a six-point win to Emu Park in a scrappy affair. This game will be very interesting, as both sides have speed and tough forwards. It will be a case of who can keep a clear head and identify the opportunities that will be presented. Brothers bounced back from a poor last round and if they can play like that again, they might get away with this. Emu Park want to get back-to-back premierships and they have a good mix to go one further. This could very easily go into extra time.

Under 16 Brothers v North's

These two old rivals have been very good all year given the number of players they have had out to representative duties. They have played twice with one win apiece. Brothers made a late rally against Cap Coast and they will need to play that style of football if they want to proceed further. Norths took care of the weekend’s game against Emu Park and will use that performance to work into this game. Being a short turn around, how the players back up and defensive errors could decide the game. A great way to finish off the night.

Saturday Afternoon

Under 15 Yeppoon v Brothers

Yeppoon have been the big improvers this year under coach Matt Pacey. These two sides have met twice with Yeppoon getting away with a couple of easy wins. This game will see if Brothers can continue their good form and how much did Saturday’s game against Fitzroy's take out of the young Seagulls. Both sides have plenty of attack in their games, it will come down to defence and who turns up and gives nothing away. This should be the ideal start of an afternoon of quality football on Saturday.

Under 18 Fitzroy's v Brothers Blue

Fitzroy's have done a great job getting through to the semi-finals stage of the Under 18 competition and whatever happens Saturday, they can be proud of their efforts. Saturday’s game against Cap Coast would have taken a fair bit out of them and how they bounce back will determine what happens. Brothers have been very good in the last two-three weeks, and given the number of representative players they have; they should continue their good run. The Sharks will be no easy beats and they will give plenty, this will be a great lead up game to the Capras.